Move: Sledding

This face pretty much seals the deal that, in his eyes, we just shared the absolute, hands-down, BEST day ever. 

This face pretty much seals the deal that, in a mother's eyes, the camera is the absolute, hands-down, BEST invention ever. 

Though I'm pretty sure Landon would argue the sled should win that honor...

Munch: Homemade Blizzards

Recent snowfalls in Western Pennsylvania put us in the mood to make some blizzards of our own! Here's how we do it...

Step 1: Find some willing little hands to help you unwrap your candies of choice. Landon was more than happy to help with this step...

Step 2: Chop the candies into pieces. Not too small though...everyone loves to find a few big chunks of chocolate in their blizzard!

Step 3: Add ice cream and milk (to desired consistency) and BLEND!

Step 4: Pour into cups, grab a few spoons, and....

Step 5: Deliver to happy family members! :)

Move: Bowling

Have kiddos that need to burn some energy, without burning a lot of money? 

I do! With frigid temperatures here in The 'Burgh, I decided it was time to get creative. So, last week I took Landon bowling for the first time. I had no idea that it was so kid-friendly!

The attendants gave us a light ball for Landon to be able to hold easily, 

 a ramp for him to roll it down,

and bumpers (which actually helped both of us quite a bit). :)

As a sidenote, he also thought the carpet was "beautiful" (which made me laugh outloud!), and loved the "superhero shoes" they let us borrow. So funny! 

Munch: Homemade Helping-Hands Granola Bars

'Mama, I'm hungry!!' Sound familiar? Well, May (bio below) has a great solution! Her homemade granola bars keep little hands busy and growling tummies satisfied. Thanks, May! I think my ever-hungry kiddo and I are going to make a batch of cran-raisin bars for tomorrow morning! :)

Most kids love granola bars, and as convenient as they are, they are loaded

with all kinds of extra preservatives and ingredients I can't pronounce.

Couple that with my 5-year-old's interest in making pretty much anything

she likes to eat, and away we went to the kitchen to whip some up from

scratch! They were way easier than I thought and she literally did it all

herself. All I did was put it in and take it out of the oven!

Mix 3 cups of quick cook oats, 1 cup chopper nuts (we used peanuts or you

can leave them out entirely), 1 cup chocolate chips, and 1/2 cup mini

marshmallows.

Then pour 14 oz of condensed milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 egg and 2 tbsp

butter.

20 minutes at 350, and that's it!

This recipe is a great base for adding whatever your favorite flavors are,

so your kids can have their own custom granola bars.

May is a stay-at-home mama to three active and creative wee ones (Richard is 10, Helena is 5 and Daphne is almost 2). She's fiercely domestic, hilariously traditional, and unexpectedly nerdy. Luckily married to the man of her dreams, she's big on knitting, playing in the kitchen and blogging. Getting crafty with her kids and getting domestic with her husband in the kitchen are two of her favorite things. She is thankful for God in her life and love in her home. She blogs regularly at http://www.soverydomestic.com.

Move: Wii are Movin...in more ways than one!

The new year has brought quite a few new prospects, possibilities, and projects into my life. Rather than making a list of resolutions, I began 2011 making a very exciting, but very daunting To-Do list...paint my trim (again), call a realtor, begin clearing out my cluttered basement, look into school systems 2,700 miles away. Needless to say, while there has still been time for fun in our home, it has been a little less planned out and rarely photographed.

So, I haven't created personal resolutions this January (no time for that type of deep reflection), but I have determined that winter is hard on little boys...and therefore, moms. Or maybe it's just us...but I bet there's some mom out there that will agree with me, right?!? My kiddo seems to hit a point mid-day when he simply cannot contain his pent up energy anymore, and despite the fact that the couches have never really interested him before, he suddenly sees them in a new, exciting, and opportunistic light....and his body goes flaying over them. Again. And again. And again. So, I have resolved to find a way every day to help my kiddo have some physical fun...for all our sakes (that being his, mine, and the couches).

So here's a simple way that we're moving around here. For this particular activity, it doesn't even matter if the weather outside is frightful! We're movin together, and loving it...in more ways than one! :)

For more on Wii games can get kids moving, and families connecting click here.

Make: Easy Snow Globe

Waiting for a white Christmas? Create one inside a simple, plastic container!

Have you child pick out an item or two to put inside your snow globe. Happy Meal toys work great! We actually found this festive tree at the local Dollar Store ($1/each). Use a glue gun to adhere the figurine to the inside of the lid. Press down firmly.

While the glue is drying, allow your child fill the plastic container 3/4 of the way full with some sort of household oil. We used baby oil, but canola or olive would work too. Oil is preferred to water so that the sparkles float and flutter more slowly when shaken.

Add a couple teaspoons of glitter to the oil. Landon loved this part! 

Mom can now put the lid back onto the container. For an extra tight seal, I applied a thick layer of hot glue all the way around the lid.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Make: Light-Up Coffee Filter Ornaments

Pardon the hiatus...we've had some big things going on at our place. We have managed to fit some fun into the mix though! Here's a simple, fun little activity that I came across from Kids Craft Weekly. We altered the idea a bit to make our creations into light-catching ornaments. Hope you're having a fun holiday season! 

Materials: 

coffee filters, scissors, markers, clothespins, glue, water (spray bottle)

Cut Christmas bulb shapes out of coffee filters.

Color with washable markers. Press down firmly, and cover all white space.

Spray a little bit of water (one or two squirts) on each light. Let dry.

Glue a clothespin to the back of each light.

Clip to tree branches, turn on "real" Christmas lights, and be amazed! 

Make: Christmas Crayons

FunMoms is so happy to introduce Marcie from  www.dontwasteyourhomemaking.com!! She has a GREAT idea to share with us. Spoiler alert: If my little boy is friends with your child, THIS is what he or she will be getting from Landon this Christmas...Cute. Easy. Practical. Affordable! It doesn't get better than that! Thanks, Marcie!

This past week I have seen cutsie crayons popping up all over the web! I thought I would try them and see if I could make a few for Christmas gifts for the little ones. I tried it and I LOVE it! It's super easy to make and fun!

Ingredients

Crayons (Box of 64 for $1 @ Dollar Tree)

Ribbon and jewels (craft room)
Silicone Bakeware (mine cost $2.50 @ Target)

 

Step 1

Peel all the wrappings off the crayons. This is the longest process of the project... don't do it alone! I took a ton of crayons to the youth and asked for their help before church. 

Step 2 Break the crayons into small pieces {the smaller the pieces the better they will blend}. You can use the same color or mix colors. For thick crayons fill to the top of the shape, for skinnier ones only fill half way in the shape.

Step 3

Place in the oven at 200 degrees for approx. 20 minutes. I checked on the crayons and stirred them about halfway through. Once the crayons are completely melted remove the bakeware from the oven. Let the crayons cool completely before getting them out.

Here's what they look like when their cooled off! So cute, I can't wait to give these to my kids!

You can also fancy it up a little with some ribbon on hand and a jewel!

 

 

Marcie says, "I'm a girl who has been undeservedly saved by grace through Jesus Christ. I've been a wife for four years and love serving God through my home. It's my passion not to waste my life but, to make it count for the glory of God. Therefore,I am seeking to do this in every area of my life including my role in the home. I want to encourage women who are homemakers to use this delightful occupation for the glory of God."

Munch: Gingerbread Nativity

A fun way to bring the "Reason for the Season" into the kitchen...and to other people's doors! These turn out so cute, you won't even want to eat them! But don't worry, your kids probably won't hesitate at all! :)

L-R: King, Shepherd, Jesus, Mary, Joseph

A whole batch, ready to be sorted and given to our neighbors. 

Make: Thanksgiving Cards

A few years ago, I started doing Thanksgiving Cards, instead of Christmas Cards. I've been asked why many times. For us, there are several reasons. First, it makes my budget a little bit happier in December.  Second, I have more time to enjoy making them (which I love to do!), and sending them out before the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Third, and most importantly, I love the opportunity to share why Jesus should be the reason for this season too! And, finally, we really do feel so tremendously blessed, we can't help but share it with all of our loved ones!

I don't have your home address, or I'd send one your way. So, this is for you, friend. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

~Leslie